Four for the Fourth

Anytime you're celebrating the Fourth of July, you need to incorporate at least four elements: fireworks, a parade, some barbecued eats and carnival rides. (Please note that those last two shouldn't be combined in quick succession. You don't want to spend the weekend with an upset tummy and the spins, do you? Didn't think so.) To make things easy, Webster Groves Community Days can serve as your one-stop-Independence-Day spot for all of the essential holiday components, and then some. The main parade, which rolls along from East Lockwood and Selma avenues to Memorial Park (at South Elm Avenue and East Glendale Road), begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, and features more than 80 units, some of which throw goodies. Yay, candy! Then, when you arrive at Memorial Park, you'll find all of the 'cue you care to eat, thanks to the Webster Groves Lions Club, and all of the rides you dare to brave. (Again, space out your eating and riding. We can't stress this enough. Remember: You have four full days — from Thursday, July 1, to Sunday, July 4 — for filling up and spinning 'round.) To top off the good times, at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, fireworks fly high and fill the sky above the park, providing a lovely scene for patriotism or romanticism — whatever you prefer. Admission to Community Days is free; rides and eats cost extra. For a full schedule of all of the holiday haps in Webster — including details about the bands scheduled, the pet parade and more — call 314-963-5600 or visit www.webstergroves.org.
Sat., July 3; Sun., July 4, 2010